Insider's View
Launceston Gorge StageMTB = 35.5km
Gorge net, cliff jump, rope work, bridge climb
White water rafting
Today was the morning I was initiated to the wake up call. Ben (another host) had been doing this the last few mornings and I had to see it for myself. His big booming voice sang (badly) and woke the tired athletes. As we walked around and shook the tent, Ben would not stop nagging until people either spoke to him, yelled out, abused or in some cases, threw water bottles at his head! Was great to watch.
An early departure and pack up of camp as we drove to Launceston Country Club for Day 3 of racing and to meet the fresh new competitors in the Ambassadors Cup (3 day race). As some hosts took on more athletes (including Glenn Archer and Dan McPhearson), we closely watched them speed off for their long mountain bike ride.
A quick bus shuffle to transition at Launceston Gorge where things were very busy. As we now had an extra 16 competitors, host duties stepped up a notch. Bikes came into transition and we either ran the bikes to the trailer, directed to transition bags (which were not as easily laid out in the small area available), filled up camel backs or delivered food to tired athletes.Competitors ran down to the gorge where they had one of the more interesting sections of the race – flying fox, rope climbing across the rapids. Soon enough they found themselves IN the rapids as they completed a white water rafting run of the Tamar River.
Buses parked at the bottom, we didn’t wait for our designated teams this time as we had a long drive to Port Arthur. I found this a great experience as I had a whole 10 new people to get to know and listen to their amazing adventures. Just as we left Launceston, a storm hit and there was so much rain. Driving around unknown roads, for 5 hours, with ‘strangers’ in the van (that I wasn’t used to driving), certainly put me out of my comfort zone, but I loved it. We stopped off at Meadowbank Winery on the way for a warm coffee, muffin, seat in front of the open fire, and of course a taste test (well, not for me as a responsible driver of ten very important athletes).
Arriving at Port Arthur and so many original plans had changed due to the bad weather. Organisers, hosts and competitors all had so much new information floating around, it was often very confusing, but all part of outdoor adventure racing! The camp ground was flooded so athletes were ‘upgraded’ to our hostel type accommodation as we were shifted down to the caravan park a few kms down the road.Dinner in one of the halls of Port Arthur Historic Site was a great experience.......and the buffet was mind blowing. This was one of the best nights for me as a Host as we drank the amazing Devils Corner Pinot and ate like absolute Kings. Partly this was because I had great company, but partly because we actually got locked in the building for 1 hour at the end of the night whilst the Ghost Tour of Port Arthur was taking place (there was only about 10 of us left at this stage). Yep – night life of a Host is certainly enjoyable!
Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:
- watching water bottles getting piffed at Ben's head
- explaining the purpose of, and how the challenge runs to people walking by the Gorge
- mandatory stop at a winery
